Even without that famous last name, it would be one of the best stories in Major League League Baseball this season.
Mike Yastrzemski, the grandson of Carl, has entered into the National League MVP conversation, a fact Red Sox outfielder Kevin Pillar reminded us Wednesday.
"He's a perfect example of a guy who persevered through so much in the minor leagues," said Pillar, who played with Yastrzemski with the Giants in 2019. "Maybe lacking respect from some organizations or numbers or whatever the reason was he wasn't getting an opportunity in the big leagues, he finally got it. It's a perfect example of someone taking advantage of an opportunity and running with it. I've talked to him as recently as two days ago. It was his birthday. I wished him a happy birthday. We talked a little bit back and forth and I told him to go win the MVP and he answered very simply with, 'I'm going for it.' That's kind of the mindset he has. He believes in himself. He knows is a really good baseball player and he's going out there and showing the world every day. He's got the confidence and the swagger to back it up. He truly believes he can be an MVP of this season and I wish him nothing but the best.
"Hopefully, the Giants see what everybody else is seeing. I know he's a little bit older in terms of service time, but hopefully, he can go out and make some money for his family. He definitely deserves it. He has shown he's one of the best players in baseball right now and I couldn't be happier for him."
The Andover native -- who attended St. John's Prep before going to Vanderbilt -- has come virtually out of nowhere to legitimately be considered an MVP candidate in 2020.
After not getting a chance to crack the major leagues after six years in the Orioles' minor league system, Yastrzemski had made the most of his opportunity with the Giants. The outfielder is following up a breakout 2019 season, in which he totaled 21 homers in 107 games with San Francisco, with one of MLB's best first halves.
Heading into Thursday the recently-turned 30-year-old leads the National League in runs while carrying the third-best OPS (1.022), only behind Bryce Harper and Fernando Tatis Jr. Yastrzemski is also hitting .293 with seven homers.
Giants manager Gabe Kapler recently explained to the Giants media why he believes Yastrzemski has been able to do what he has done.
"I think what's standing out to me is the patience and the confidence," Kapler said. "One thing I chatted with him about today is that all of the best hitters that I've been around, from David Ortiz to Manny Ramirez to Bryce Harper to J.T. Realmuto, a lot of great hitters, will take third strikes from time to time. It doesn't always feel good but it's because you're looking for a pitch you can do damage within those counts.